The new casino in the Chicago area is now open for business. It’s called "Wind Creek Chicago Southland."
It opened in East Hazel Crest and has over 1,400 slot machines, nearly 60 table games, and a sportsbook. This casino is the 16th in Illinois and the last to open under the 2019 gaming expansion law.
State Rep. Bob Rita told “The Center Square” that having all of these casinos in Illinois doesn’t mean the market is not saturated. “I think it’s the right thing regionally. Rockford is its own region, up by the Wisconsin border. You have the south suburbs, or you’ve got Lake County,” Rita said.
He seems to be right, as people lined up out the door and a line of cars caused a traffic jam.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland marks the 11th gaming property for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, a tribal group based in Alabama.
Wind Creek Hotel Still In The Works
The casino took three years to build and construction isn't finished just yet.
A hotel will open on the property sometime next year. Additionally, casino operators partnered with Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group to provide a unique selection of restaurants and dining options.
Once fully operational, the hotel and casino are expected to generate more than 1,000 full-time jobs across a range of sectors, including hospitality and technology.
Are Online Casinos Next For Illinois?
The casino industry in Illinois began in the early 1990s with the opening of the first riverboat casinos, marking the start of legal gambling in the state. These floating casinos quickly became a major revenue source.
Over time, public opinion on gambling grew more favorable, leading Illinois to open land-based casinos. This change resulted in the creation of larger, permanent casino establishments that offered a wider range of entertainment options, like the one that just opened in the Southland, to boost the economy further.
And now, Illinois lawmakers are turning their sights to the next logical step. Legalizing online gaming in the state.
Illinois Lawmakers Working on Online Gaming Legislation
They’re working on a plan to introduce online casinos at some point during the next year. Illinois is hoping to join Michigan and the other six US states that currently allow iGaming.
State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. and State Sen. Cristina Castro proposed two bills, House Bill 2239 and Senate Bill 1565, to legalize online gambling with a 15% tax and $250,000 operator licenses. However, both bills stalled in committee and won't progress until the 2025 legislative session.
Another option, House Bill 2320 by State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, suggested a 12% tax and a $500,000 license fee. These different proposals reflect varying approaches to regulating online casinos in Illinois.
As the casino industry changes, Illinois is ready to grow even more. Now that the state is tapped out of traditional casino licenses, Illinois could now set its sight on becoming a leader in both in-person and online gaming, solidifying its role in the casino industry.
